So Phillip and I were eating lunch together when a girl asked to sit down at the table with us. Now Phillip told me that he knew of her but didn't really know her. Phillip and I continued our conversation about missions/missionary work, since he is leaving soon on his mission. I told him about my last roommate and how he lived in Virginia and was called to serve in North Carolina. I also said that my roommate's father told my roommate that he was "sorry" (direct quote from my roommate's father) for his mission call.
This incredibly PRICKISH girl chimes (picture with snobbish inflection) "Well, your on the Lord's errand and where you go shouldn't matter."
Totally true. Let's pause and reflect upon my story. Did I ever mention that I felt sorry for my roommate's call? No. The irony/humor of my story came from the fact that my roommate's father, the one person you would expect to be the most supporting of a mission call, expressed a very atypical reaction. The point is humor, not to mock the mission experience.
I tried to explain myself by in various ways by saying that being called to a mission where you live or very close to where you live would be difficult because of how close you would be to your "regular" life, making the temptation to leave/slack off much higher. No, this girl would hear none of it. Every mission is perfect, as is every missionary. My point was only that certain mission calls could have very different challenges.
This girl continued to make equally snide remarks as the first quote! What's up with that? I think I know the answer, but I want to emphasize that this next portion is my opinion.
Because I have been extremely sick over the past few days, I haven't shaved. I was still feeling under the weather and woke up late today, missing my first class. I had forgotten to shave and so I looked a little scruffy running out the door. I felt that the snobby girl (as I will refer to her from now on) judged me because of my scruffiness and then made comments based off this superficial observation accordingly. Not even that, she heard a snippet of the conversation and decided to call me to repentance, if by nothing else than a snappy tone and "holier than thou" comments.
What does this mean for me and the rest of humanity? Your accomplishments do not determine who you are. They certainly provide indicators, but they are not you. In the case of snobby girl, just because someone attends BYU, does not give them any higher spiritual qualifications over anyone else. In contrast, at BYU there are many opportunities to hear from general authorities and have a very spiritual experience. But just attending BYU does not make you perfect.
Moral of the Story: Don't eavesdrop on conversations and then snidely interject. Offer an opinion, join the conversation before refuting the character of the people involved.
You make some very good points, Adam. One that I really liked is "Your accomplishments do not determine who you are." I think that is true. Accomplishments and character are not the same thing. I was trying to remember something from a talk by Elder Holland that relates to this... Elder Hollnad said, "From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." So, it's not what we have done, but what we have become. He also said, "Instead of being judgmental about others, we should be concerned about ourselves" which applies here, too, I think.
I'm glad you have had the opportunity this year to live in Idaho and attend BYUI and then have the opportunity to be in Utah at BYU Provo and live with Ethan. I'm sure you've had many experiences that have helped you learn and grow and become.
We can't wait to see you and Ethan soon! Woooohoooo!
Hahahaha. Funny BYU chick. I think you should have asked her out, and told her you couldn't deny her superior charms. Heeheehee. Takes me back!
hahaha, good call, Lisa. I was preparing to (casually) flirt when she first sat down, you know, not appear too interested. :(